Iran has expressed concern over what the country termed as “Indian security forces attack” on mourners on the Muharram procession on the tenth day of Muharram in Kashmir, Tehran Times reported.
“While Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has paid tribute to Imam Hussain and mourning ceremonies for Imam Hussein have been held quietly across India, reports of Ashura mourners being injured in Kashmir are very worrying,” Spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, Saeed Khatibzadeh told the Iranian Labour News Agency (ILNA) on Monday.
The spokesperson also called on the Indian government to investigate the “Ashura attack” and to provide medical assistance to the injured immediately.
On Saturday, government forces, armed with pump-action shotguns, fired shotgun pellets and tear gas on the Muharram procession in parts of the main city of Srinagar, Kashmir leading to injuries to scores of mourners, some of them injured in their eyes.
According to reports seven mourners have been booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention Act), central anti-terrorism law for allegedly raising pro-freedom and anti- India slogans during one of the processions.
Authorities said the Muharram procession violated coronavirus-related restrictions imposed by the administration, a claim strongly rejected by the mourners and witnesses.
